Oscillating door construction



Dec. 27, i255 F. P. BLAHNIK 2,728,525

OSOILLATING DOOR CONSTRUCTION INVENTOR. FKA/W( 1Q 3 AHA/IK BWM/@m A Trop/ve 7 Dec. 27, 1955 F. P. BLAHNIK OSOILLATINO DOOR CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheecs-Shee(l 2 Filed Deo. 22, 1952 IN VEN TOR. FAA/wr a ,su AHA/ f4 Trae/VE Y Dec. 27, 1955 F. P. BLAHNIK OSCILLATING DOOR CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 22, 1952 64 /39 4/ J0 JZ l/XY/ 977471 e INVENTOR. MAA/K ,0. zA/wv// @www Dec. 27, 1955 F. P. BLAHNIK oscILLATING DOOR CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Deo. 22, 1952 .M my m Nw. m .N\ T Qm., mp. A ',ju M i M f Dec. 27, 1955 F. P. BLAHNIK OSCILLATING DOOR CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 22, 1952 w mw m, T N M MH T WA A m\ l NN AN mu P. S12, M QN Y bn uw" SO vw f W Gm. R, um, um, m5 Q l@ mw WN Nm. bm, NW

WM SAW@ Filed Dec. 22, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY United States Patent O mice OSCLLA'IING DOGR CONSTRUCTION Frank P. Blahnik, Kewaunee, Wis. Application December 22, 1952, Serial No. 327,219

2 Claims. (Cl. S12-319) The present invention relates to an oscillating door construction and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a pair of doors each of which is substantially quadrant shaped, that is to say each is composed of a quarter of a vertically extending cylinder. A framework is provided and bracket structures are attached to each of the doors whereby the doors may be simultaneously swung in an arc toward or away from each other. An operating shaft extends diametrically with respect to the doors and terminates in an operating handle and the apparatus is such that a quarter turn of the handle in one direction acts through certain mechanisms forming a part of the invention to open the doors while a quarter turn in the opposite direction acts to move the doors in an opposite direction. When moved in one direction, the doors are opened while when moved in an opposite direction the doors come together to close an aperture with which they may be associated. A novel iatching mechanism is provided as a part of the invention whereby the doors automatically latch in their closed position and automatically latch in their opened position. ri`he latch mechanisms are automatically released upon a turning of the operating shaft to move the doors from one position to the other. The apparatus is particularly useful as a door construction for television cabinets but is also capable of being applied to many other uses.

it is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and yet effective and eiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an apparatus of the character set forth, novel means for oscillating a pair of doors forming a part of the invention. A

Another object of the invention is the provision, in an apparatus of the character set forth, of novel latching mechanisms forming a part of the invention.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel door construction which is designed to occupy a minimum of space.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an apparatus of the character set forth, novel means for suspending a pair of doors forming a part of the invention.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel reinforcing bar for each of a pair of doors forming a part of the invention- Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2 2 of Figure l, and showing a pair of doors forming a part of the invention in closed position,

Zdf Fatented ec. 27, 19525 Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the doors in open position,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with certain parts removed to disclose certain details of the invention,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5 5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6 6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and illustrating certain details of construction and showing the device in open position,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is an elevational View, partly in section, of Figure 7,

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 of Figure 9,

Figure 1l is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 11 11 of Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the doors in closed position,

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 13 13 of Figure l2, and

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 14-14 of Figure 12.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown therein a cabinet including side Walls 11i, a top 11 and a front wall 12. An opening in the front wall 12 is defined by a pair of side frame members 13, a top frame member 14 and a bottom frame member 15.

Secured vertically to each of the side members 13 is a strip of decorative moulding 16 and mounted in the cabinet immediately below the bottom frame member is a horizontally extending partition 17. A metal framework is provided within the cabinet and consists of a horizontally extending upper cross bar 18 whose ends interconnect the upper ends of a pair` of vertically ex tending supports 19 which latter lie against the inner sides of the side walls lil and whose lower ends are secured through opposite ends of a lower horizontally extending cross bar 2i). The bar 2d is mounted atop the partition 17.

The metal frame includes a U-shaped base member having an elongated bight portion 21 centrally secured and extending perpendicularly and horizontally with respect to the base member and resting upon the partition 17 and having a rearwardly disposed leg 22 and a forwardly disposed leg 23.

Revolubly mounted in the forward leg 23 is a relatively long shaft 24 having a reduced forward extension 25 upon the outer end of which is secured an operating knob 26. Pivotally mounted in the leg 22 and revolubly extending into the rear portion of the shaft 24 is a relatively short shaft 27 having a collar 28 aixed thereto rearwardly of the leg 22. A radially extending straight crank 29 is affixed to the shaft 27 forwardly of the leg 22 and a forwardiy extending L-shaped crank 30 is likewise affixed to the shaft 27 in spaced relation forwardly of the crank 29. A pair of brackets 31 and 32 are aiiixed to the upper side of the member 2t) upon opposite sides of the shaft 24 and adjacent the rearward and forward edges of the member 2b, respectively.

A pair of vertically extending quarter-cylindrically shaped or quadrant shaped doors 33 and 34 are provided respectively with upper segmental arms 35 and 36 which are respectively suspended and pivotally mounted upon bolts 37 and 38 dependently mounted upon the member 18. The doors 33 and 34 are each provided with inwardly and radially extending lower arms 39 and 46, respectively, which are revolubly mounted upon upward- 3 1y extending pins 41 and 42 which are, in turn, mounted upon the cross bar 28. Each of the bolts 37 and 38 is provided at its lower end with an adjusting nut 43 and 44, respectively.

The pins 41 and 42 are mounted in vertical alignment with the bolts 38 and 37. Aixed to the arm 39 by means of a bolt 45 and nut 46 and eccentrically with respect to the pin 41 is the inner end of a laterally extending arm 47 to the outer end of which is revolubly mounted a pin 48 having a pair of upstanding ears 49 between which is pivotally mounted the outer end of a link the inner end of which has a ball and socket connection 51 with the outer portion of the crank 29.

An arm 52 similar to the arm 47 is adjustably attached to the arm 40 by means of a bolt 53 and nut 54, the bolt 53 extending through a slot 55 formed in the arm 40 laterally and eccentrically with respect to the pin 42. The outer end of the arm 52 has revolubly mounted therein a pin 56. The upper end of the member 56 is provided with a pair of ears 57 in which is pivotally mounted one end of a link 58 the other end of such link being connected to the outer end of the crank 30 by means of a ball and socket connection as indicated at 59.

The shaft 24 is provided with an adjustable collar 60 which is connected thereto by means of a set screw 61, such collar 60 being positioned immediately rearwardly of the leg 23. A pair of oppositely extending cams 62 and 63 are ailixed to the shaft 24 and are each adapted to bear against a bearing plate 64 and 65, respectively. which plates are carried by U-shaped portions 66 and 67, respectively, which are respectively horizontally slidable in the brackets 31 and 32 and which are respectively formed upon the inner ends of horizontally extending rods 68 and 69.

The rod 68 is slidable through a pair of brackets 70 and 71 while the rod 69 is slidable through a pair of brackets 72 and 73, the brackets 70, 71, 72 and 73 being aiiixed to the upper side of the cross bar 20.

A collar 74 is aflixed to the rod 68 between the brackets 70 and 71 and a like collar 75 is aftixed to the rod 69 between the brackets 72 and 73. A washer 76 surrounds the rod 68 outwardly of the bracket 70 and a compression spring 77 likewise surrounds the rod 68 and bears against the washer 76 at one end and against the collar 74 at its other end. A washer 78 surrounds the rod 69 and is positioned immediately outwardly of the bracket 72 and a compression spring 79 likewise surrounds the rod 69 and bears against the washer '78 at its inner end and against the bracket 75 at its outer end.

The lower ends of each of the doors 33 and 34 have aiiixed thereto at their lower ends inwardly extending reinforcing bars 8) and 81, respectively. The doors 33 and 34 are each provided with a dependent portion 82 and 83, respectively, to which portions the arms 39 and 40 are respectively secured. To the underside of each of the dependent portions 82 and 83 is aiiixed an arcuate latch bar 84 and 85, respectively. The latch bar 84 has aihxed at either end thereof a dependent latch plate 86 and 87 while the latch bar 85 has aixed at either end a latch plate 88 and 89.

Each of the latch plates 86, 87, 88 and 89 is provided with a vertical slot 90 centrally disposed therein and shown, for example, in Figure 6. Each of the latch plates 86, 87, 88 and 89 is curved outwardly as it extends toward the center of its respective latch bar 84 or 85 as the case may be.

A vertically extending buffer member 91 is attached to the inner vertical edge of the door 33 and a like buffer member 92 is attached to the inner vertical edge of the door 34 and a vertically extending strip of felt or the like is attached to the inner ends of the members 16, as indicated at 93 and 94. Each of the doors 33 and 34 has mounted upon its outer side in inwardly spaced relation to the buffers 91 and 92 vertical abutments 95 and 96, respectively.

In operation, it will be apparent that with the doors 33 and 34 in closed position as shown, for example, in Figure l of the drawings, it is only necessary to turn the handle 26 approximately one-quarter turn in a clockwise direction to open the doors to a fully opened position as shown, for example, in Figure 4 of the drawings. When the handle 26 is thus turned in a clockwise direction it will, of course, likewise turn the Shaft 24 and a dog 97 aixed thereto and extending through an arcuate slot 98 formed in the crank 30. This action will cause the crank 3i) to likewise move in a clockwise direction as viewed, for example, in Figure 9 thus moving also the crank arm 29 in the same direction since the cranks 29 and 38 are both attached to the relatively small shaft 27. This action causes the links 50 and 58 to move to the right as viewed in Figure 7 thus causing the arm 39 to move in a clockwise direction through the medium of the arm 47, likewise as viewed in Figure 7 and causing the arm 40 to move in a clockwise direction about its pivotal point 42, also as viewed in Figure 7. This action will cause the doors 33 and 34 to swing open, it being apparent that the doors are suspended upon the arms 35 and 36 by means of the bolts 37 and 38. Vertical adjustment ot the doors 33 and 34 with respect to the opening in the cabinet may be easily had by means of adjusting the nuts 43 and 44. As the doors approach their innermost positions the latch members 87 and 88 will come into contact respectively with the outer ends of the rods 69 and 68 and, due to the curvature in the latch members further movement of the doors inwardly will cause the rods 68 and 69 to be moved inwardly against the action of the springs 77 and 79 until the outer ends of the rods register with the slots whereupon the action of the springs 77 and 79 will cause the rods to again move outwardly to a position within such slots 90 to thereby hold the doors in latched outward position. It will also be apparent that as the doors approach the end of their inward swing as aforesaid, the cams 62 and 63 will release their pressure against the bearing plates 64 and 65 to thus allow free outward movement of the rods 68 and 69 as they come into registry with the slots 90 aforesaid. The doors are now in latched open position and it will be seen that in such position the bumper members 92 will be in contact with the strips 93 and 94 to thus exclude dust and the like from the interior of the cabinet.

When it is desired to again close the doors 33 and 34 to their position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, it is only necessary to move the handle 26 in a counterclockwise direction for about a one-quarter turn whereupon the action above described will be reversed with the exception that the latch plates 86 and 88 will now become engaged with the rods 69 and 68, respectively, at the end of the closing movement of such doors. It will be seen that in such position the doors are again latched and that now the buffer members 91 and 92 are in contact with each other thus excluding dust from the interior of the cabinet and also acting as shock absorbers when the doors come together. Also it will be seen that the members 95 and 96 are now in contact with the members 93 and 94 thus further excluding dust from the interior of the cabinet. It will also be apparent that the members 80 and 81 act to maintain the body portions of the doors 33 and 34, respectively, in perfect cylindrical form at al1 times. Likewise it will be apparent that while the device has been shown and described with reference to a television cabinet that the device may nevertheless be utilized upon a great many other devices such as telephone cabinets, food chests, medicine chests and the like.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a vertically extending rectangular frame having an upper cross bar, a lower cross bar and a pair of vertical side members; a pair of vertically extending doors of approximately quarter cylindrical cross sectional area, upper and lower inwardly and radially extending arms afixed to each of said doors, a pair of pins dependent from said upper cross bar, said upper arms each being vertically adjustably pivoted upon one of said pins, means for simultaneously opening and closing said doors, and means for automatically latching said doors in open and in closed position, and means automatically releasing said latching means during opening and closing of said doors, all of said means having as a part thereof a common shaft having an operating knob at the outer end thereof.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a vertically extending frame, a pair of complementary vertically extending doors of approximately quarter cylindrical cross sectional area pivotally suspended in said frame, means for simultaneously opening and closing said doors, and means for automatically latching said doors in open and in closed position, both of said means having as a part thereof a common shaft having an operating knob at the outer end thereof, said latching means including a pair of slotted latch plates aiixed to each door, a rod selectively receivable in the latch plates of each door, a spring for each of said rods normally urging said rod into engagement with said plates, a bearing plate axed to each rod adjacent said shaft, and cams carried by said shaft and engageable with said bearing plates to move said rods outwardly from said latch plates against the action of said springs.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 896,294 Hadden Aug. 18, 1908 1,254,433 Rouwald Jan. 22, 1918 1,702,178 Trammell Feb. 12, 1929 2,596,316 White May 13, 1952 2,692,809 Kesling Oct. 26, 1954 

